The Privacy Fence

Recently we and our neighbors decided that the short section of old privacy fence between our properties had to come down. It wasn't very stable and it didn't even run the length of the property. They have a little girl and that fence was really just an accident waiting to happen. So reluctantly, I helped. I say reluctantly because along with the fence we had to take out the shrubs and vines that had intertwined themselves between the privacy fence and the wire fence that had been installed years ago -probably before the privacy fence. ( I wonder if there's a story there...)
Anyway, these vines and shrubs provided an abundance of greenery that, along with the weathered wood backdrop made for some nice photos and the occasional portrait setting.
Well it's gone now. So be it. I guess that the good thing is, is that we have good neighbors like them and we don't need a barrier between us.
And you know, some days it even seems a little sunnier than it used to...

Princess Mia

Mia sure is growing quick. As all children do, she just seems to be getting bigger and smarter every day! She's quickly becoming part of our family just as all the kids do that my wife baby sits, some more than others. But she does have an edge. Living next door we tend to see quite a lot of her.
She's my sweety, though. Let there be no doubt about that -that is, unless my wife asks her whose girl she is then all of a sudden she's her girl and no amount of begging from me will change that. But when Mom or Dad comes to pick her up there's no real debating whose girl she is!
Fortunately for us there's enough princess in Mia to make us all feel special. And we do...

Look Out Below!

I can remember when I was a little boy playing outside, usually with my cowboys and Indians or my army men. My brothers and I would have the best time finding things that fit the scenery for our miniature worlds. Gravel would easily be boulders, tiny twigs would be logs and leaves could be anything from rooftops to blankets for the weary warrior resting just before the ambush!
I still like to look as close as I can at the ground beneath me- just to see what there is to see. There really is a whole other world down there. And yes, it is fascinating! You never know what (or who) you might find if you look close enough.

The Absence of Color...

Some subjects just seem to scream black and white! Although it may be hard to tell by my photographs, I am a huge fan of the B/W photo. Someday I hope to become a more accomplished photographer in the black and white field.
There's something about the mood that a B/W photo sets that's really an amazing thing, especially considering the absence of color.
Now I won't continue to try and talk about the intricacies of B/W photography like I really know what I'm talking about. Usually, as in a lot of my pictures, I just get lucky and I'm happy with it. There are plenty of B/W photographers out there though, so check them out. They're not hard to find but once you do they're definitely hard to leave!

It's Here!

Yes it is, it's here! It's time to start getting my hiking fix once again. I am definitely ready to start getting back out in the woods and seeing what there is to see. I know that the winter time has it's share of awesomeness in the woods and I guess that I got a pretty fair share of winter hiking in but man there's just something about the woods in the spring and summer months. Getting out in it and and being one with nature is a heck of a lot easier when the temperature is comfortable.
This photo is exactly what I'm talking about. Having the time and patience to see all there is to see. Some days I think that I could find me a spot and stay there all day and never get tired of the things I see. Hopefully I'll be blessed with enough spare time this summer to get out in it and find as many new sights as I can snap a shutter at!

April Showers...

I'm pretty sure that it's not just me when I say that the seasons are changing. I don't think that we can really depend on the old adages anymore like April showers bring May flowers or out like a lion, in like a lamb (and vice versa). It seems like when I was a kid you could hang your hat on those things. These days, though, it's 70 degrees in December, 95 degrees in June and the rainy season is now the icy season. This April we've gotten relatively no rain to speak of (yet, anyway) and although we are loving the warm sunny days, in the back of our minds we know that it's probably not a good sign.
I'd like to say that we're doing all that we can to help reverse the effects of global warming but the truth of the matter is even though we recycle and try to do the other things that we feel are necessary I know that we're a far cry from doing all that we can.
Now, I'm no expert on global warming and I'm really not trying to get on my soapbox but I do know how much I love this planet and all it's beauty. So let's all work together on this one and hopefully we can get things back on track and hopefully it can be in our lifetime!

Just Inside!!

Springtime in southwest Missouri, as in most other areas of the U.S., means baseball. In 2005 we got the Springfield Cardinals, the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. It was a chance, once again, for the area population to root for a team where the players have the opportunity to advance to "The Bigs".
Way back in 1932 the St. Louis Cardinals moved a team here until it relocated to St. Joseph in 1946. Along the way such players as Stan "The Man" Musial, Dizzy Dean and Pepper Martin got their cleats dirty in our town before becoming legends of the game.
Most in the Springfield and St. Louis organizations consider this team an extension of it's predecessor displaying championship banners from the 30's and 40's!
Anyway, this was definitely one of those lucky shots. I was actually hoping for a big hit and had no idea where the ball had frozen until I later viewed the shot! I'd like to say that I planned it that way but you know I'm not that way.
So here's to the upcoming season and the Springfield Cardinals - Play Ball !!

Happy Easter!

You know, I thought about doing a post with a real springtime kind of picture or maybe a sunrise or even some flowers blooming. It's been (other than really windy) a very nice day- spring is definitely here!
My wife, son and I arose especially early and went to a sunrise service at the Cowboy Church. It was our first visit but I'm sure, not the last. It was a simple, down to earth kind of service that we really enjoyed followed by a pancake breakfast.
Later in the morning my wife and I went to services with our respective mothers followed by dinner at my sister's. I'm still full!
With all of this going on I can say that I'm very fortunate that I have a family that does not lose
sight of the real reason that we celebrate Easter.
Mathew 28:6- He is not here; he is risen, just as he said.